Even if you are planning to have an Epidural or other form of pain medication during your labour you will still have to deal with some amount of pain until you get to the hospital. Sometimes you may not be allowed to have pain medication early on in your labour or near the end. If you choose to have an Epidural it takes some time for the anaesthesiologist to come to you, it may not work or it may be "patchy". Although there is a wide choice of pain relief medications available you should be prepared to cope with some pain during labour. A doula can meet you at your home and help you with staying comfortable and coping with pain until you receive the pain medication you wish. A doula will also provide emotional support, information and explanations about the birth process, your labour and the choices available to you that the nurses are usually too busy to provide